Knowing God

At BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) Larry and I are studying the life of Moses, and we just studies Exodus 33:13-14. These verses have had me thinking all week so this is my place to write my thoughts down and I hope that if you have something to add you will. This is certainly not any deep theology; just my thoughts so please share if you have more to add. In verse 13 Moses is speaking to God and he says "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you."
I learned in my study that there are 4 levels of knowledge. First, "knowing" can mean simple awareness, for example "I know where she lives". "Knowing" can also mean knowing about someone or something. Before we moved to Little Rock we learned a lot about it and could say that we had a lot of knowledge about Little Rock. My study reminds us that this can also apply to unbelieving theologians who know about God through their studies, but this does not mean that they know Him in a saving way.
Still another use of the word “know” is knowledge by experience. It was one thing for us to learn about Little Rock but now we have knowledge by experience of the city because we have actually lived here. We can now not only tell you that they have a Farmers Market here on Saturdays but we have been there and experienced the people, smells, etc. You would think this is the highest level of knowledge, right?
But there is still ANOTHER use of the word “know” and this is what the Bible means when it speaks about knowing God. This is knowledge by which one is changed. One of the things that stands out to me about this kind of knowledge is that it is not a onetime thing. It is an ongoing process of being made more like Jesus.
I have decided to use Moses’ words to guide my year. Moses starts by saying "If you are pleased with me". When seeking this level of knowledge of God, the type that transforms us, we need to keep a "short account" with God. My goal in this is to do a whole lot more "spiritual breathing" this year. In spiritual breathing you exhale by confessing your sins immediately to God and claiming His forgiveness. Then you inhale by asking the Holy Spirit to control and empower you and to keep you from returning to sin.
Next Moses says "teach me your ways so I may know you". God desires for us to know Him and has revealed himself to us through His Word so that we can be changed. My prayer this year is that it will be a year that reflects my desire to know Him better through, not only my study, but also the memorization of His Word. Yet I want to be sure that I am not becoming legalistic in my study of God's Word. This shouldn't be a "have to" but a "want to". My desire is to be in God's Word on a regular basis; not following a schedule that I feel must be kept, because this is a trap I can easily fall into.
Finally, Moses says not only does he want to know God but he wants to "continue to find favor with you." I like the way the King James Version says this "that I may find grace in thy sight". Here is another trap I can find myself in. Favor is a great word and I want to please God but I easily forget that it’s all about grace. Grace by definition means "unmerited favor". John 1:17 says "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." This doesn't relieve me of my responsibility to know God better and reflect that grace to others. But it does reminds me that if I fail, and I am bound to, I am not out of God's favor but I am pointed directly back to spiritual breathing and the whole thing becomes a cycle.
So what is God's response to Moses? Verse 14 says "The LORD replied, 'My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest'". Oh, doesn’t that sound wonderful?! I’ll stop now because this is way too long but leave you with that same promise from Jesus:
Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Happy New Year!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything! We went back home for Christmas and had a wonderful time. We spent most of our time with family but had such a great time seeing friends at church. It was a real blessing to get to attend 2 services at Calvary during our week there. The big hit gift of the year for the boys was guitar praise. It is like guitar hero but with Christian bands. They are becoming pros and loving that the music is all their favorites like Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Skillet, Toby Mac, Kutless, etc. They also got some great books, games, puzzles, and toys. Larry and I got an unexpected night in a hotel with dinner and breakfast provided! What a treat! We also found out that my cousin is expecting her first child!

We reluctantly said our goodbyes on Monday and headed back to Little Rock. As much as we miss home it is good to be....home. There's nothing like your own bed! Our New Years was uneventful. The boys are already back to school at Loraine Academy :) and they didn't even know the difference so we put them to bed normal time and went to bed ourselves around 10:30. We weren't even woken up by any celebrations outside. Either it was very quiet in our neighborhood last night or we were really tired!